SKATEBOARDERS are fighting plans to close the only skate park in Liverpool city centre.

Enthusiasts were shocked to find New Bird Skate Park, in Jamaica Street, was fenced off with no warning when they arrived there last week.

A group of youths took it upon themselves to transform the unused privately-owned wasteland into a skate park back in 2009.

But the site has now been bought by the Co-operative Bank, which have put up a 9ft fence to stop anyone accessing it for “health and safety reasons”.

Russell Longmire, who helped create the skate park, said: “We turned up at the weekend to find a 9ft fence put up around the site.

“It came totally out of the blue. We are in shock.

“I have been using the park for three years now. I helped build it along with a few others.

“We raised the money, cleared up the rubble and installed the ramps.

“After bye-laws were introduced in 2008, skateboarders were not allowed to skate at sites like the Pier Head.

“That was the main reason we set about working on the skate park. It is custom-built, safe and the only one of its kind in the city centre.

“If it does close, we will be forced to skate on the streets again.”

Russell added: “We’ve received support from the council, who have recognised the need for a skate park in the centre of the city.

“We will carry on fighting to ensure its survival.”

Andy Hammerton, spokesman for the Co-operative Bank, said: “National guidelines require disused land and property to be insured within 30 days.

“Before insurance could be provided a number of health and safety issues on the site had to be addressed, including the risk that someone could be injured in the area unofficially used for skateboarding.

“We would definitely be happy to talk to the council regarding the future of the area.”

A Liverpool council spokesman said: “We are supportive of the skate park and we would like it to remain in use because of the benefits it gives to young people.”